Bully || Septiplier

Chapter Seventeen

MARK was sitting at his lunch table again. Two things; 1- Jack was staring at him again from his table a few meters away, and 2- it was really difficult not to notice. Mark kind of wished Jack wouldn't do that, wouldn't make it so obvious, so he tried to ignore his gaze and instead talked to his friends at the table. Mainly consisting of Bob, Wade, a kid named Aaron, a boy named Tyler and a scrawnier boy named Ethan who was Tyler's best friend and not a football player. He stuck out like a sore thumb at their table, and at first Bob and Wade didn't like him sitting with them, but they fessed up and got to know him. Drama, as always, took place at their table, be it gossip or more.

In fact, now, Bob was saying something to Mark. Informing him of something. Mark didn't really care, and kind of wished they'd stop acting like his guard dogs, but didn't say anything. It was only when he heard Jack's name that he was suddenly listening.

"You know that kid, Jack? The faggot?" This made Wade (who was also listening in) snicker, and Mark just nodded and rolled his eyes for effect. "Well, he's in my Chemistry class. He's been leaving the class at exactly twelve-thirty every day to go to the bathroom, and it's suspicious as fuck. Do you think he takes daily pills or something at the same time every day? Or maybe he's dating somebody and calls them or something. Definitely not anyone from around here. And most definitely a guy," he finished with a cruel laugh.

"Yeah, he's in my History class. He's been doing it there, too, but we only have history once a week so I don't know." Wade shrugged but added in his information. "But how weird is that? He's a freak."

"Who're we talking about," chirped in Aaron.

"Jack McLoughlin," said Bob.

"Oh, isn't he the faggot?" This made everyone at the table laugh. Only Mark's laugh was fake, and his friends were idiots if they couldn't see that. He glanced over at Jack's table again, at the people with him, and realized Felix wasn't there. He felt a cold chill down his spine. Then he acknowledged the boys sitting with him, a boy named Cry and two friends named Dan and Phil, a kid named Matthew who was smart. People Mark would probably be friends with if his parents didn't force him into Football. It'll be good for college. You need an extra curricular activity. It'll be good for your image. Mark hated football. He remembered his dad though, forcing him into it, and he had to keep doing it for his dad. It's what he'd want, he reminded himself, so he put up with it and the crowd around it whom he called his friends.

He kind of drifted back into the conversation, that had changed from Jack to football again. Apparently the coach was sick and a game was cancelled. They all seemed upset about it, so of course Mark agreed and played the distressed card, but to himself he was glad.

He focused back on eating. And then the nutrition break was over.

**

It was five minutes past twelve-thirty. Mark was waiting in his usual spot, by the sink, tugging on his shirt sleeves nervously and glancing around. Where was he? Usually he'd be here by now. Mark gulped.

Suddenly, the bathroom door opened and in walked Jack. Mark felt relief pot through him and he watched as the brown haired boy walked in, looking cute and messy and adorable as ever, and suddenly he just wanted to be around Jack forever. He couldn't quite explain why, but everything about him was breathtaking, and now Mark didn't even care why he was late.

"Sorry about that," said Jack in his perfect accent, "There was some difficulty getting here with the teacher."

"That's fine," Mark smiled, because at least Jack was here now and that was all that mattered. "God, you're so beautiful." And in a chain reaction, Jack blushed, and Mark took a step forward to peck Jack on the lips. He wanted to kiss Jack forever, wanted to show him just how much he loved him through affection but that would be impossible.

"So, what's up? How're you?" Jack smiled when Mark asked, and of course since he had that contagious kind of smile, so did Mark.

"I'm fantastic. I mean, in general."

"How's Felix? I didn't see him at your table today, are you guys... Okay?"

"I guess we're okay," said Jack, who was suddenly glancing away. "He didn't show up today, and he hasn't been answering my texts, but I think he'll get over it. Nobody knows, by the way."

A sour, selfish sense of relief filled Mark to the brim, nearly blocking out all feeling. "Okay, good." But Jack now looked almost sad, and Mark regretted it so he gave him a soft hug. "I'll tell them soon, I promise, just not quite yet."

"Okay." This seemed to lighten the mood, and Jack smiled his beautiful smile again which made Mark grin and they stared at each other again. "Okay, well I should go.."

"Yeah, okay. I'll see you tomorrow." Mark kissed him on the cheek, and Jack slightly blushed. They walked together to the door of the bathroom, but Jack walked out first and down the hallway, which now had students lined up down the halls.

**

JACK saw a few eyes on him, but more importantly Bob was staring at him as he walked out of the bathroom. Then Bob's brown eyes were set on something else behind him, and Jack noticed how they furrowed. Jack knew he saw Mark walk out of the same bathroom.

Jack walked faster to his locker and quickly grabbed his lunch, doing his best o avoid and ignore Bob when he tried to get in his way. He blended himself in with the crowd and followed their current to the lunch room, where he sat closer to Dan and Phil this time to mix in with them. They were talking about animals, and Jack pretended to be fascinated about their conversation, avoiding a brown stare from the jock's table.

"So, Jack, what's up? You seem distracted." Dan spoke first, and apparently their discussion about animals was over, because Phil had his eyebrows raised and was looking at Jack inquisitively, too. Jack's heart skipped a beat.

"Um, there's just a few people I'm trying to avoid," he said and it was the safest answer he could give. It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't entirely the truth. Whatever it was, it convinced them, because Dan shrugged.

"You can hang out with us if you want; Felix isn't here today, and he's who you usually hang with, right?" Phil's offer was kind, and Jack smiled appreciatively.

"Yeah, I usually stick with Felix but counting as he's not here.. Thanks."

"No problem, you seem like a nice person. I don't know why everybody calls you weird."

"Yeah," agreed Dan, "You're pretty okay, Jack."